In his comments, Cong. Castle also released a copy of the letter he sent to President Bush in support of a better Amtrak management structure:

November 15, 2005
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Bush:

I am writing to ask that you take immediate steps to enhance intercity passenger rail by improving Amtraks leadership structure and appointing a fully functioning Amtrak Board.

Over the last several years, your Administration has made no secret of your intent to restructure our passenger rail system and to discontinue Amtraks federal operating subsidy. This month, a report by the Government Accountability Office criticized Amtrak for flawed accounting practices and inadequate strategic goals. Still, in the face of increasingly overcrowded highways and exorbitant gas prices, passenger rail has proven to be extremely effective in relieving congestion, cutting pollution, and lowering our demand for oil. While we can agree that Amtrak continues to be in need of reform, I firmly believe that it is our responsibility to provide safe and reliable transportation options for the rail systems 25 million annual passengers.

Above all else, sustaining passenger rail service in this country depends on strong and experienced leadership at Amtrak. Although the law requires the Amtrak Board to include seven members, the Board currently has only four voting members, with several seats remaining vacant for an unprecedented period of time. Unfortunately, in recent months, the Board has made several extremely consequential decisions, despite the fact that nearly half of its seats remain empty. In particular, the unexpected firing of Amtrak President and CEO David Gunn, someone who is widely respected for his leadership abilities and extensive rail and transit experience, raises several questions regarding the Boards commitment to Amtraks stability.

As you know, two of the current Amtrak Board members were recess appointments, which expire when Congress adjourns later this year. At the beginning of 2006, we face the prospect of a headless national passenger rail system, and a Board with only two voting members. As your administration continues efforts to reform the rail systems operations, I implore you to improve Amtraks oversight and leadership structure by appointing a fully functioning Board.

Mr. President, I firmly believe that finalizing the nominations of qualified transportation experts to the Amtrak Board will vastly improve the current situation. The more experienced railroad people we have working on this strategy, the more likely we are to come up with a suitable proposal for reforming passenger rail.

By appointing a full Amtrak Board and working with Congress to construct an appropriate reform strategy, I am confident we will make significant progress in our efforts to provide Americans with effective transportation options. I look forward to working closely with the Administration in the coming months and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further at your convenience.

As a result of this work, on-time performance improved 8 to 10 percent over the nine-month period ending June 30, against the same period a year ago.

Over the past 16 months, the line has seen the installation of 128,000 concrete ties and 47,000 wood ties, replacement of rail and surfacing over 72 track miles, replacement of 28 turnouts and seven bridge decks, upgrading of 12 bridges five culverts and three retaining walls, renewal of over 14 miles of catenary wire and installation of more than 20 miles of new signal cable.

Ride quality has changed for the better due to the installation of welded rail over concrete ties and high quality ballasting and surfacing to achieve the best track geometry. Also, special attention was given to drainage systems to eliminate water problems and the development of soft ground conditions.

As a major part of the infrastructure upgrade, extensive cleanup of the right-of-way yielded over 164 miles of scrap rail and 170,000 old ties. In addition, material storage yards were reconfigured to better support the crews working on the project.

In FY 06, the Engineering department plans to complete the project, including the rebuilding of two major interlockings, Roy and Lancaster; rebuilding of the track layout at the Lancaster station to provide more operational flexibility (separating freight and passenger operations); and the installation of automatic block signals that enable bi-directional movement of trains.

Also this year, ongoing installation of a fiber optic system along the corridor will support high-speed communication between central control in Philadelphia, interlockings, power substations, the signal system, stations and railroad radio bases along the Keystone corridor. Amtrak has invested $2.3 million to replace the 70-year-old communication system, worn-out from age and weather. The system facilitates communication essential for improved trip time, reliability, centralized dispatching and other telecommunication needs.

Shorter trip times and a more comfortable ride are expected to draw more passengers to what promises to become an even more popular route. Year over year, ridership on the New York to Harrisburg service has grown nearly 19 percent and revenue 28 percent. On the Keystone Line specifically (passengers traveling through Philadelphia and points west), ridership increased 14 percent and revenue 22 percent this past year. To meet the anticipated demand, plans are being made to boost the number of weekday roundtrips between Philadelphia and Harrisburg from 9 to 13. Amtraks Transportation staff is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to finalize new schedules.

This growth demonstrates a clear demand for Keystone corridor high speed rail service and also supports the need for improvements along this line, said Project Management Director Vinay Mudholkar.

The project certainly has proved to be a success, posting concrete results that benefit passenger as well as freight operations on corridor, stated Chief Engineer David Hughes.

The corridor serves 20 Amtrak trains, 118 SEPTA trains and 12 Norfolk Southern Railway freight trains. Norfolk Southern is also participating in the program to upgrade certain track and bridges to carry 286,000 lbs. loads. The railroad has been cooperative in approving layout schemes to separate freight and passenger traffic flows, where possible. We appreciate their willingness in joining the teams efforts, added Mudholkar.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has launched a special winter addition to its existing commuter boat fleet. The Salacia, a new larger capacity vessel, will ply the waters between Boston and the old Hingham shipyard.

The commuter boat service that departs the coastal town of Hingham just south of Boston has experienced a 6% increase in ridership over the past year. According to report information from this past September, approximately 30,000 additional passengers have utilized the service this year. Ridership has risen from 538,315 in 2004 to 568,776 in 2005. To ensure customers continued comfort during the winter months, the MBTA is working with its contractor Boston Harbor Cruises who has offered to replace a smaller 350-passenger vessel with TheSalacia, a 600-passenger hi-speed catamaran. The Salacia boasts 425 heated indoor seats.

Better customer service translates into more commuters, which obviously helps the MBTAs bottom line, said State Transportation Secretary John Cogliano. By providing more heated seats, we again highlight the ease, convenience and benefits of boat commuting.

MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said, It is evident with the increase in ridership that customers are realizing the flexibility and comfort that water transportation can offer. With the introduction of the Salacia the needs of our existing customers will be met and new customers brought on-board.

I want to thank [State] Secretary [of Transportation] Cogliano and [MBTA] General Manager Grabauskas for their commitment to a better Commuter Boat service with the addition of the Salacia. The Commuter Boat service continues to be a great resource for many South Shore commuters. With the continued commitment by the MBTA, I look forward to seeing ridership continue to rise, said State Senator Robert L. Hedlund.

State Representative Garrett Bradley stated I am happy the MBTA has continued to invest in water transportation because it is by far the best, the cheapest and the fastest way to travel to and from Boston.

The Commuter Boat service between Hingham and downtown Bostons Rowes Wharf includes 18 round trips. Service begins as early as 6:00 a.m. with a convenient evening departure from Boston to Hingham at 8:30 p.m.

To ensure a smooth transition of the Salacia into the current schedule, Boston Harbor Cruises will construct a new gangway at the Rowes Wharf terminal in Boston to minimize boarding and alighting times due to the vessels increased ridership. Current departure and trip times will not change. A schedule of vessel assignments will be available shortly on vessels and at ticket offices.

With a passenger capacity of 600 and 425 interior seats, the Salacia will increase interior seating capacity by over 250 seats on each of her departures, said Alison Nolan General Manager of Boston Harbor Cruises.

In May of 2006, The Salacia will return to her summertime route as the Provincetown Fast Ferry.

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